Blizzards sweeping across the Middle East have generated rare amounts of snowfall in much of Israel, Jordan and Lebanon.
The landmark Dome of the Rock in the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and much of the occupied West Bank were blanketed with snow early Friday as officials closed schools for the day and urged residents to stay indoors, Agence France-Presse reports.
“There’s heavy snow falling in Jerusalem, about (10 inches) so far,” Israel Meteorological Service forecaster Rinat Rehamim told public radio. “And it will continue to fall throughout the day.”
A Jewish man prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.Getty ImagesIsrael’s Negev desert and most of the Holy City were hit with heavy snowfall and many roads in Jordan were blocked, including around the capital, Amman, according to AFP.
“There was heavy hail in Beirut, and snow has fallen from (656 feet) above sea level,” explained Wissam Abu Hashfeh of Lebanon’s Meteorological Service.
Authorities around the region have warned people to stay inside and have advised them to only leave their homes if it is absolutely necessary.
